Pull box remote control



Fe. 25, i936. Y D, MAPEs 2,031,964

PULL BOX REMQ'IE.CONTROL4 Filed April 1, 1951 Patented Feb. 25, 1936 STTES PULL BOX RE PTEN @FFME MOTE CONTROL N. Y., a corporation Application April 1,

3 Claims.

The present invention relates to controlling mechanisms for systems which are normally inoperative but adapted to be operated upon a predetermined actuation of a controlling mechanism and embodies, more specifically, an improved form of pull box remote control which is adapted to actuate systems of the above character, its construction being such as to facilitate, materially, the actuating operation thereof without danger to the operator by reason of the possible presence of the exposed edges of shattered glass.

The control boxes now available are generally of a type wherein a plate of glass or other fracturable material encloses the manually actuating controlling element of the pull box. Operation of these existing devices requires the shattering of the glass and then the act of reaching into the box and grasping the manual actuating device. This latter act is frequently dangerous by reason of the fact that particles of shattered glass are present in the box and frequently expose dangerous cutting edges. Furthermore, the existing mechanisms are loosely assembled and frequently rattle due to vibration of the box.

To overcome the disadvantages noted above, the present invention has been designed and an object thereof is the provision of a pull box remote control of improved form, the elements of which are simple in construction, assembly, operation and maintenance.

A further object of the invention is to provide a control device of the above character, wherein a fracturable plate is employed to retain the manually actuated element normally, the elements of the box being so constructed as to prevent rattling thereof due to Vibrations which may be impressed thereon.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a box of the above character, a manually actuated controlling element which is normally 'enclosed by a fracturable plate but which automatically presents itself for actuation in an exposed and readily accessible position outside of the control box when the plate is fractured.

Further objects, not specifically enumerated above, will be apparent as the invention is described in greater detail in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a view in front elevation showing a pull box remote control mechanism embodying the present invention.

Figure 2 is a View in side elevation, showing the box of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a View in section, taken on line 3 3 of New York 1931, Serial No. 526,973

of Figure 1, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring to the above drawing, a sheet metal wall box IQ is formed preferably by stamping and is provided with three abutments II which are adapted to receive and position a fracturable plate as described in detail hereinafter. The box is made of a convenient size and is formed with a cylindrical, internally threaded projection I2 which is adapted to be connected to any suitable conduit. The neck oi the pull box which forms the entrance to the extension I2 is preferably rounded, as at I3, to form a seat for a knob I4. This knob is formed with a cooperating rounded seat portion l5 which is adapted to engage the seat I3 snugly.

The knob I 4 is formed with an extension I6 which carries a pin or pins II extending in opposite directions transversely to the axis of the knob. Upon this pin, a handle I8 is journaled, springs IB being anchored to the hinged extremities of the handle and to the pin or knob extension. The tendency of springs I9 is to urge the handle normally into a position such as shown by dot and dash lines in Figure 3, which position lies outside of the box I0.

Bosses 2S are formed on the handle I8 and are adapted to engage a glass or other fracturable plate 2| which is seated against the abutments II and secured in position by means of a cover plate 22. Plate 22 is secured to flanges 23, formed on the box Iii, by means of screws 24 and may be provided with a hammer recess 25. Within the hammer recess a hammer 2S may be inserted, being removably secured in such position by means of a spring clip 2T, as clearly shown in Figures l, 3, and 4. The hammer is preferably secured to the cover plate 22 by means of a chain 28 which is secured to the rear side of the cover at 2Q and extends through an aperture 30. Knob Il! is secured to an operating cable 3| to actuate any suitable mechanism in a manner which will be readily apparent. Upon fracturing the glass with the hammer 26 the handle I8 immediately springs into its projecting position, as shown in dot and dash lines in Figure 3. In this position, actuation of the mechanism is readily effected without danger of injury due to fragments of the shattered glass. Not only do the springs I9 urge the handle into its projecting position but these springs cause the bosses 20 to engage the plate 2I and urge the same against the cover plate 22, at the same time seating the knob I4 snugly against the seat I3. In this fashion, objectionable rattling is prevented.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that the control mechanism may be utilized in any type of system, whether mechanical, pneumatic, electrical or other fluid type. Not only do the springs I9 cause the handle to be moved into its extended position, but they facilitate the fracturing of the plate 2l. The springs furthermore close the outlet of the conduit pipe regardless of the tension on the cable 3|.

It will be observed that the manner in which the fracturable plate is mounted facilitates the complete release of the shattered fragments of the glass or plate and permits them to fall freely therefrom. Instead of being clamped in the box whereby the sides of the plate tend to remain in position, such fragments fall free of the box and thus prevent danger of injury due thereto. In combination with these spaced circumferential abutments for supporting the glass plate, the handle is provided with abutments which engage the plate at points spaced from the circumference of the plate and apertures. This further facilitates the freeing of al1 fragments of glass from the housing.

The specific handle construction, as Well as the construction of the associated elements may be varied as desired Without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. Ina box having a cover plate, means thereonmo-unting a fracturable disc, a recess formed in the cover plate, a spring clip in the recess, a hammer in the recess removably held by the spring clip, said recess being of such size as to accommodate the hammer and having an aperture, and extensible means passing through the aperture and securing the hammer to the rear of the cover plate.`

2. A box, actuating means movable with respect to the box, a seat on the box for the actuating means, a handle o-n the actuating means, fracturable closure means for the box normally maintaining the handle in a retracted position, means to maintain the actuating means seated and to move the handle with respect to the box and the actuating means when the said closure means is fractured, means to position said closure means on said box, means to secure said closure means against said last named means, and means on said handle bearing against the closure means whereby the fractured portions of the closure means tend to fall clear of the box upon fracture of the closure means.

3. A break-glass box comprising a body portion, an actuating means movable with respect to the box, a cylindrical extension on the box and having a curved self-nesting seat for the actuatingmeans', a handle on the actuating means, a fracturable plate forming a closure for the box and normally engaging the handle to maintain the same in a retracted position, a spring between the actuating means and the handle to urge the handle against the plate and maintain the actu-- ating means seated and to move the handle with respect to the box and actuating means when the plate is fractured, at least three spaced circumferential abutments on the body portion toV position the plate, an apertured cover carried by the body portion to secure the plate against the abutments, and means on the handle spaced from the circumference of the aperture and bearing on the plate, vwhereby the fractured portions of the plate tend to fall clear of the aperture upon fracture of the plate.

DANIEL MAPES. 

